Metallic partition base finish



May 22, 1934.

T. v. BALCH ET Al.

METALLIC PARTITION BAISE FINISH Filed July 25, 1929 Patented May 22, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METALLIC PARTITION BASE FINISH- Application July 23, 1929, Serial No. 380,287

14 Claims.

In the erection of metallic partitions, it is desirable that the supports and panel elements shall present a close and neat appearing fit at the floor line. By reason of the frequent unevenness of floors to which the partition must be applied,

much special fitting has generally been customary,and considerable extra work is at times involved, as for instance where a bronze mop strip is used to carry a corresponding bronze member around the lower end of the posts or support members. A construction lending itself to the standardized type of procedure, eliminating as far as possible special work, and correspondingly simplifying field operations in setting up the partition is accordingly highly desirable. Carpet or linoleum is often installed on only one side of the partition, thus making it necessary to adjust the floor trim to different levels on opposite sides of the partition.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the features hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain construction embodying the invention, this being illustrative however of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

Insaid annexed kdrawing Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section through a support member and associated elements; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary isometric view showing a completed base of a support member with associated elements; and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on a plane indicated by line III-III,

Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown a vertical support including channel pieces s, with facing members f and panel portions h. At the base of the latter, mop strips c may be applied. These may be resiliently held to vertically adjustable clips d1 and d2, which will compensate for irregularities in the fioor leyel. Such clips may frictionally fit the panel member or may be screwed thereto and we prefer to make the clips on opposite sides of the panels adjustable independently of each other.

In the preferred construction, the panel portion h is provided with a slot in its lower surface through which the clips d1 and d2 are inserted and which serves as a guide. At the base of the support, a plinth p is arranged, this being held to the face plate f adjustably, lthereby allowing of such adjustment as may be found necessary to a good fit against the floor. Tothis end, the plinth may be formed with inturned anges p in opposed relation, such'as to engage back of a holding means on the face plate. A preferred construction comprises projections b, asin the form of blisters or extrusions on the lateral sides of the facing, and by the use of a somewhat resilient stock for the plinth member, the flanges p constitute a snap catch with the blisters b, and the assembly may be quickly made by a sharp blow upon the plinth member, thereby causing its anges to spring over the blisters and lock therebehind. The frictional hold thus secured allows of such vertical adjustment to the floor as may be required. In order to space the plinth member accurately from the facing f, and further prevent possibility of the anges p wedging in unduly and prying the facing member f from its fastening, additional projections are provided on the front of the facing member, as in the form of blisters or extrusions b, similar to those at the sides. In some cases, such projections b may be provided by suitable portions fixed or welded in place, as cleats, the function being subserved as already noted.

Where a further trim mold m is desired, 'this may be initially made up in assembly with the plinth p, or preferably it may be arranged for separate assembly. In the latter case, the trim mold, shaped to f'lt the plinth, and of uniform height with the mold strip, is provided with extension ears e outstanding from its lateral flanges m', such as to seat back of the mop strip c and be held thereby in final position. It is sometimes desirable to secure the trim mold m to the plinth in the same manner in which the plinth is secured to the facing member by the use of blisters on the plinth and inturned flanges on the trim mold in which case the plinth may be permanently secured to the facing member and the mold m becomes in effect a plinth.

' In the erection and finishing of such construction, the vertical support s set with shims l as may be found necessary in varying oor conditions are assembled with their panel members, the latter being raised initially somewhat from the floor, due to the shimming of the supports over depressions in thefloor. The facings f are secured in place. The plinth p is applied by a sharp blow to spring its fianges over the projections or blisters, and it is seated down into position. The mop strips or finish strips in assembly with the panel portions are manipulated so as to allow insertion of the ears e, and the mop strips with mold piece m are finally seated down in position by tapping into place vagainst the floor. 110

Where desired, the trim mold m may be adapted to embrace the facing member f directly, the plinth being then omitted. Correspondingly then the trim mold may have its upper edge turned in as a horizontal ledge and be coped to t the contour of the facing member.

While we have illustrated an assemblage of panel members at 180 to each other, the principles are equally applicable to an assembly with any degree of rangularity.

Other modes of applying the principle of the y invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details disclosed, provided the means stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:-

1. In partition construction, a vertical member of sheet metal spaced above a fioor surface and having plinth-securing means thereon, and a plinth block of sheet metal secured thereto by resiliency and having an inwardly-directed upper flange and resting on each fioor surface.

2. In partition construction, a vertical member of sheet metal spaced above a floor surface and having plinth-securing means thereon, and a sheet metal plinth contacting such floor surface and having its sides rebent inwardly to resiliently embrace said plinth-securing means and having an` inturned upper edge engaging against said vertical member.

3. In partition construction, a vertical member of sheet metal spaced above a'floor surface and having blisters struck up on its surface, and a plinth of sheet metal contacting such floor surface and having flanges retainable behind such blisters and having an upper horizontal surface engaging said vertical member.

4. In partition construction, a vertical member of sheet metal having blisters struck up on its surface, and a plinth of sheet metal serving as an extension of such vertical member and having resilient flanges adapted to snap behind such blisters and having a horizontal upper edge engaging said vertical member.

5. In partition construction, a sheet metal vertical member having plinth-securing means laterally and plinth-spacing means forwardly, and a sheet metal plinth serving as an extension of such vertical member and engaging such securing means and spaced by said spacing means, said spacing means including an inturned upper edge on the plinth notched to fit and engaging against said vertical member.

6. In partition construction, a sheet metal vertical member having blisters laterally and spacing blisters forwardly, and a sheet metal plinth serving as an extension of such vertical member and adapted to seat against such spacing blisters and having anges to engage behind the5 lateral blisters and a horizontal upper edge notched to t said vertical member.

'7. In partition construction, a vertical sheet metal member, a transversely directed trim mold adjustably positioned against and embracing such member and having out-turned ears, and means for securing such trim mold in position, said means including a finish member engaging over such ears and means for adjustably holding said nish member.

8. In partition construction, a vertical shee metal member, a trim moldl adjustably positioned against and embracing such member and having an out-turned ear at each end, and means for securing such trim mold in position, said means including a mop strip engaging over each such ear and means for adjustably holding said mop strip.

9. In partition construction, a vertical sheet metal support member, a sheet metal facing member positioned thereagainst and Ispaced above a oor surface and having struck up blisters, and a vertically adjustable plinth positioned against said facing member and extending to such floor surface and having flanges resiliently retained behind such blisters and a horizontal upper edge notched to fit said facing member.

10. In partition construction, a sheet metal plinth having an inturned upper edge fitted against a vertical member and having inbent lateral flanges adapted to be resiliently held to receiving portions on such vertical member, such plinth serving as an extension of said Vertical member.

11. In partition construction, a panel member,

vertically adjustable clips frictionally retained by such panel member along the base thereof, and mop strips retained against such panel member by said clips. l2. In partition construction, a panel member, coacting clips on opposite sides of such panel memberadjustable independently of each other and frictionally retained by such panel member along the base thereof, and mop strips retained against such panel member by said clips.

13. In partition construction, a panel member, vertically adjustable clips frictionally `retained by such panel member along the base thereof, and mop strips resiliently secured to said clips.

14. In partition construction, a panel member, coacting clips on opposite sides of such panel member adjustable independently of each other and frictionally retained by such panel member along the base thereof, and mop strips resiliently secured to such clips.

THOMAS V. BALCH. JOHN A. BOHNSACK. 

